ENTHUSIASM BECOMES INFLUENCE...

Ty's enthusiasm for the sport of Skateboarding translated into avant garde motifs as he became a jeweller.

'Too Much Concave': an abstracted skateboard ring. The deck is mokume gane, a japanese laminated metal technique; the trucks and wheels are sterling silver and 18k gold set with peridots.

With this bangle, entitled 'Skating Rink', Tyrus won the Tasmanian Fine Craft Award, 1997. The piece was acquired by the Burnie Regional Art Gallery.

The wonderful thing about the design was that the skateboard was held on to the bangle by the pavilions of the gemsetting, in such a way as to allow the board to be spun around the 'rink'.

The acoompanying ring was entitled 'Ramp Ring'. The finger is actually supported by the four boards resting in each corner.

A ring made along the same principle as the 'Skating Rink' bangle, above.

20 YEARS OF SKATING.

Tyrus celebrated in 'SLAM' Australasian Skateboarding magazine, 2001. In part, the writer says:

"Tyrus is an institution when it comes to strength and longevivity of Tasmanian skateboarding. He is a congenial, straight-forward, "no shit' talking dude. Tyrus is an ambitious and talented individual who strives for the best, no matter what he does, whether it is skateboarding or creating amazing pieces of jewellery as a profession. It's so rad to see a love of skateboarding conveyed in an artform as individual as jewellery smithing, especially when it is expressed in such a technically proficient and imaginative manner. Tyrus is bound to go further, as talent like this does not go unnoticed. This has been proven by the fact that when he entered his first jewellery contest he won first prize! However, Tyrus is not the sort of person to go out trying to prove himself, he is modest and content to do what he does for the pure love of it."

Tyrus as a 'grommet' at age 11 or so...

Ty easily clearing a witch's hat on a wheelie bin...

Ty getting a little air...

Phill gives Ty some early pointers in the art of balance, by 'walking' him in Dad's gumboots...